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BAGOP
(Boston Area Guild
of Puppetry)

The Puppet Showplace Theatre

Board of Directors

Howard Amidon, Advisor

Danvers, MA. Howard Amidon is the Director of Individual Giving for Boston Ballet. For over 10 years, Howard has worked in fundraising and special event production roles for arts institutions including New England Conservatory, Boston Symphony, San Francisco Opera, and the San Francisco International Film Festival. He has taught special event production courses at Lasell College in Newton, MA, San Francisco State University, and San Jose State University. He lives in Danvers with his daughter, Andi.

Paul Vincent Davis, Treasurer & Artist-In-Residence

Brookline, MA. Paul Vincent Davis is widely recognized as one of the foremost hand puppeteers in the country. In 1977, Paul joined the Puppet Showplace Theatre as its Artistic Director. He has received numerous awards, including four "Citations of Excellence in the Art of Puppetry" from UNIMA-USA (the highest award given in puppetry) and the distinguished President's Award from Puppeteers of America. In addition to performing, Paul has taught puppetry at the Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts and Boston Museum of Fine Arts. And for seven years he served as a faculty member and on the Board of Overseers for the Institute of Professional Puppetry Arts at the Eugene O'Neill Center.

Raymond Estes, Trustee

Hingham, MA.Ray Estes is an associate in the Real Estate Department of the Boston law firm Sherin and Lodgen LLP, and is admitted to practice in both Massachusetts and New York. Ray earned his law degree from Suffolk University Law School where he received recognition for his legal brief writing as well as the American Jurisprudence Award for corporations law. He received his Bachelor of Arts degree in government and politics from Saint John's University. Ray coaches youth soccer in Hingham where he resides with his wife, Jennifer, and their four children.

Ken Grout, Trustee

Taunton, MA. Ken Grout manages Information Technology Systems at Action for Boston Community Development (ABCD). He has been performing at the Puppet Showplace Theatre for many years as a member of the improvisational troupe, Kitsch In Sync. Ken comes from a background in writing and literature, and currently teaches college level courses.

Kris Higgins, Executive Director, Ex Officio Trustee

Dorchester, MA. Kris Higgins brings non-profit management and grants administration experience to the Puppet Showplace Theatre. Prior to joining PST he directed a federally funded AmeriCorps national service program which benefited young children. Kris has also served on the board of a non-profit community theatre as the Vice President, Production.

Sarah Lamstein, President

Newton, MA. Sarah Lamstein was a secondary school English teacher and school librarian for 17 years, working in the libraries of the Lower School of Milton Academy, the Roxbury Latin School, and the Mather School, an elementary school in Boston. Sarah has been performing as a puppeteer for over 30 years in schools, libraries, museums, and fairs. She is a board member of the Boston Area Guild of Puppetry. In addition, Sarah writes for children, publishing picture books and a young adult novel. She lives with her husband in Newton and has three children and one grandchild.

Alice Schaefer, Advisor

Newton, MA. Alice Schaefer has been with the Puppet Showplace Theatre since 1990, when she became a member of the administrative staff. As Schaefer Shenanigans, she and her husband, Tom, presented puppetry performances. Prior to moving to New England, Alice spent 15 years as a high school science teacher. In addition to past volunteer work for Newton Public Schools, the Citizens Advisory Committee for Community Block Grants, and her local Neighborhood Association, Alice currently serves on the boards of the Boston Area Guild of Puppeteers (BAGOP) and the New England Friends Home, an assisted living facility. She also participates in networks for peer counseling and support for families and friends of the mentally ill.

Abby Subak, Trustee

New York, NY. Abby Subak came to the Puppet Showplace Theatre as a parent and audience member, and became the part-time Executive Director within a year. In 2006, Abby moved to New York City with her family (and other Red Sox fans) and shifted her role to Trustee. She brings to PST over 10 years of management, advocacy, recruitment, and fundraising in the non-profit world. Currently, she is the Director of Operations, eCampaigns Division, M+R Strategic Services.

Allan Telio, Trustee

Watertown, MA. Allan Telio attended puppet shows at the PST while growing up in Newton, sparking a lifelong interest in the arts. Today, he is a member of the improv comedy troupe, Kitsch In Sync. Professionally, Allan works for EnerNOC, an alternative energy company located in Boston, and recently received his MBA from Babson College. While not working or improving, he spends his free time rooting for the Red Sox with his wife Katie at home in Watertown.